Existence

Clash

Melanie Thompson was a very handsome woman. She earned enough to sustain herself. She often found herself working the toughest cases in the precinct and she was very well appreciated for her achievements. The NYPD had awarded her a medal of valor. However, that did nothing for her nerves on the day. I watched her. My hands tapped on the desk in front of me as I greeted every person that came in the door tersely. They took no notice of me. Well, that wasn't unexpected, I thought to myself. The ceremony was beginning. I waited for about a minute and closed the doors. The officers that were late, well, they'd have to stay outside. I waited for her to go on stage, established eye contact and sat down on the chair at the end of the row. My reason? It was nearest to the door. The authority, Mr. Scurvitus, started talking. He was head of the department. He somehow looked like he would fall asleep anytime now. He was an established philodox. When I say established, I mean everyone that was under his authority. He was now speaking absolute gobbledygook, and Melanie was getting more uninterested by the second. He suddenly stopped his droning to stare. It looked like he was staring right at me, but that was pretty much impossible. I looked behind me. There were the French Windows, but I couldn't really see anything beyond them. I saw it now. The hazy outline of a hot dog cart. I smiled and turned back around. Classic Scurvitus. She stood up now, nodded to him as he pinned the medal to her chest, and waved to the crowd of about a 50 people sitting. She smiled, a closed smile presumably taught in finishing school. I waited, stood up and opened the doors. She was talking to many of the supposedly important people of the police precinct. She was lying to them. I saw her show her tell more than thrice. Raised eyebrows, pursed lips and a tap of the foot. She walked over to me and stared right into my eyes. She was frightened. I smiled. She walked out the door to get in the car. I snuck in with her. She spoke quickly to her Captain, who was already in the car. This, I did not know of. But I would definitely fix it. I waited. He gave her directions to surround the house where the murder was expected to happen. They didn't need to do that , I thought. I had taken perfect care to see that her time wasn't wasted. I waited for her reaction. I counted to ten. By the time I was halfway through the syllable- ten, I heard it. Her dissatisfaction of having lost the case. "Crime was already committed, Captain," she said, getting in her car. "I hope I get him next time, sir" That day, I took a vow. I would never let Melanie catch me. Ever.